The New Jersey Institute of Technology is the state's public polytechnic university. As a top-ranked public honors college, NJIT has rigorous academic integrity standards. According to the NJIT Code of Student Conduct, students are expected to adhere to high standards of moral, ethical, and professional behavior.
Students who fail to demonstrate honesty and integrity face academic integrity violations. If someone accuses you of academic integrity at NJIT, you must take action. An academic integrity violation can have significant consequences, including expulsion. In this article, we'll review NJIT's disciplinary process and how an attorney can help if you're accused of academic integrity.
What Does the New Jersey Institute of Technology Consider Academic Misconduct?
The NJIT Code of Student Conduct Article 11 outlines its Academic Integrity Policy. The policy states that “each student shall demonstrate honesty and integrity in the completion of all assignments and in the participation of the learning process.”
The Academic Integrity Policy also includes examples of specific acts prohibited under this policy. The university considers the following behaviors examples of academic dishonesty:
Cheating
Intentionally using, providing, or attempting to use unauthorized materials in an academic exercise. Examples include:
- Copying answers from another student's exam
- Using notes, books, or calculators during an exam without permission
- Submitted papers or projects done by others
- Unauthorized possession of tests, notes, and other course material
- Using electronic devices without permission
- Having someone else take an exam for you or asking for answers to a test/exam
- Submitting purchased work done by others
- Possessing course material from staff/students without permission
- Unauthorized collaboration, such as working with others on an exam or offering answers to assignments without permission
Fabrication
Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Examples include:
- Citing nonexistent works
- Creating fake citations on a bibliography/works cited
- Purposefully skewing data to create favorable results
- Changing answers after an exam has been returned
Plagiarism
Using or attempting to use work prepared by another and submitting it as one's own. Examples include:
- Copying from a source without using quotations or attribution
- Copying from any source and altering a word or phrase to avoid exact quotation
- Using someone's ideas without attribution
- Submitting a paper written by someone and presenting it as one's own
- Using an image for course work without attribution
What Happens If I'm Accused of Violating Policy?
If a faculty member accuses you of academic misconduct, the Dean of Students will investigate the violation. They will assign a university official to interview you, the complainant, and any witnesses. The official will then determine whether or not a violation occurred. They will also offer you the opportunity to admit responsibility for the infraction.
Although you might think that admitting responsibility will reduce sanctions, it can be extremely damaging to do so. By admitting responsibility, you waive your rights to a hearing. You must also accept all assigned sanctions without an opportunity to appeal.
If you refute the allegation, the Dean of Students will hold a Conduct Board Hearing. This hearing provides you with an opportunity to respond to the allegations. During the hearing, you will make opening and closing statements and provide supporting evidence. You will also have the chance to interview any relevant witnesses.
A hearing board will review the evidence, statements, and interviews made by you and the complainant. They will then come to a determination and assign sanctions if appropriate. To make their determination, the board uses the preponderance of evidence. This rule means that they can only charge you with academic misconduct if it is more likely than not that you violated the Code of Conduct.
What Are the Consequences for Academic Misconduct?
The sanctions for academic misconduct depend on your conduct record and the nature of the violation. Possible sanctions include:
- Failure of a course
- A grade of XF for the course
- Failure of course work
- Disciplinary probation
- Required attendance to the Academic Integrity Workshop Series
- Suspension for one or more semesters
- Permanent expulsion from NJIT
An XF grade results in course failure and includes a “failure due to academic dishonesty” notation on your student transcript. An XF also prevents you from holding office in a student organization, representing the university, and may even result in the loss of student employment. You must complete an Academic Integrity Seminar Series and petition the Dean of Students to remove this notation.
If you are expelled, you will receive a permanent disciplinary expulsion notation on your student transcript. This notation can hinder your ability to pursue higher learning and employment.
NJIT uses a four-point scale to decide on academic misconduct sanctions. Level 1 is the most serious, and violations may result in expulsion from the university. Examples of Level 1 violations include premeditated cheating on an exam, taking an exam for another student, using unauthorized material on an exam, and plagiarizing work. You can view the breakdown of misconduct levels and punishments on the NJIT website.
Why Should I Hire an Attorney?
Although the NJIT disciplinary process might seem intimidating, you don't have to face it alone. NJIT gives students the right to use an attorney of their choosing during disciplinary hearings. Attorneys cannot participate directly in the proceedings, but they can provide you with assistance that is instrumental to your success.
A student discipline attorney gives you the best opportunity to achieve a favorable result in your academic misconduct case. Not only can they help you prepare your statements, but they can also collect evidence that can influence the determination in your case. An attorney can also hold the university accountable for using the preponderance of evidence in their decision. They can help you identify any violation of your rights and push back against any unfair treatment that breaks university policy.
The Best Attorney for the New Jersey Institute of Technology
If you face academic misconduct allegations at NJIT, you may be unsure of how to proceed. An attorney gives you the best chance to fight the charges and take control of your future. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team of expert attorneys have spent years advocating for students across the country. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation today.
